Multiple promoter expression cassettes for simultaneous delivery of RNAi agents targeted to Hepatitis C virus

Abstract

The present invention provides multiple-promoter expression cassettes for simultaneous delivery of RNAi, preferably to mammalian cells in vivo.

1. A method of inhibiting the level of one or more Hepatitis C virus nucleic acid targets that are expressed in a cell comprising contacting the cell with a genetic construct comprising a multi-promoter expression cassette, the multi-promoter expression construct comprising at least three promoter/RNAi/terminator components wherein each promoter/RNAi/terminator component comprises a promoter element, a terminator element and an RNAi sequence, the RNAi sequence operably linked to the promoter element and terminator element, and wherein the RNAi sequences are SEQ ID NO: 6, 19 and 22. 
     
     
       2. A method of treating an animal cell, tissue or organ, to inhibit the level of one or more Hepatitis C virus nucleic acid targets expressed in a cell, said method comprising introducing to said animal cell, tissue or organ a genetic construct comprising a multi-promoter expression cassette, the multi-promoter expression cassette comprising at least three promoter/RNAi/terminator components wherein each promoter/RNAi/terminator component comprises a promoter element, a terminator element and an RNAi sequence operably linked to the promoter element and the terminator element, wherein the RNAi sequences are SEQ ID NO:6, 19 and 22.